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JudyThe capital was the main reason.
The Constantinople was between the trade route between the Europe and Asia which caused economy increases. Also, the black sea and the Aegean Sea and also mountains also worked as the natural barriers. The Constantinople rapidly improved and became stronger. For that reason, based on this capital, the byzantine empire became more stronger.
Also, their diplomatic and treaties between other countries or tribes made them safe. Their culture flourished within Emperor's invincible power.
It lasted for a thousand years, first because it was for many centuries a highly developed and military strong empire, much more so than most of its neighbours. Plus its economic, political and military center, the city of Constantinople, was not only a thriving and revenue-generating trade center but also a totally impregnable fortress that repulsed almost to the end all of the many efforts of 'barbarian hordes' to conquer it and claim victory over the empire.
In the last few centuries before its final fall in 1453 however its territory had steadily decreased and in its final years it was little more than the city of Constantinople, the surrounding regions and posessions in what is now Greece. Cause of this was the rise of several Balkan states on one side, and on the other side, the rise of Islam and its holy wars against Christian states such as Byzantium.
In the final phase of its existence it had been tolerated to keep on existing as a tribute-paying client state of the Ottoman empire, mostly because of the impregnability of the fortress-city Constantinople. Only when Byzantium's resources and military power had finally dwindled to a level where it could no longer withstand its adversaries, it fell to the attack of Ottoman sultan Mehmet the Conqueror.
The Byzantine Emperor was powerful for many reasons:
- Position: The Empire, and the capital in particular (Constantinople), were positioned on the border of Christendom and Islam. Known as the bastion of Christianity, this position also meant that the Empire developed tremendous wealth from trade.
- Wealth: As mentioned above, the Empire was fabulously wealthy, largely due to trade, but also due to spoils from conquest, efficient taxation and tribute money.
- Culture: The Empire was the inheritor of the Splendours of Rome and the culture of Greece. They were known as one of, if not the, most cultured and sophisticated civilizations at the time, which gave the Emperor considerable influence and international standing.
- Military: The Empire fielded a superb navy and army that defeated Christian, Islamic and "pagan" armies easily, at least for the first few centuries. The Cataphractoi and the themes were disciplined and well-trained troops. The Varangian Guard of the Emperor was very strong. Greek Fire, a highly flammable substance that could burn on water was known only to the Byzantines, and was a large source of their power, particularly at sea, as the Empires ships and armies would use this fire as an incredibly effective weapon.
- Capital: Constantinople was possibly the greatest city in Europe for much of the middle ages. Beautiful and sophisticated, the city of the Emperors was the symbol of the Empire and the repository of much of it's wealth. The city was also very well defended. It never fell to attack until 1453 (excluding the Fourth Crusade), largely due to it's mighty walls and defensive systems. This bastion gave the Emperors a strong moral and physical support.
These are just a few of the reasons for the power of the Byzantine Empire.
The geographical position of a nation is a very important factor in its growth and prosperity. Based on what was built and learned from the ancient Roman Empire, the Byzantine empire was able to last much longer than a contemporary historian of 500 AD CE would have expected. Here are several reasons:
A. The capital city was located in a strategic position on the peninsula called the Bosphorus. This is a place where Europe meets Asia Minor and the Black Sea meets the Mediterranean Sea.
B. Its strategic in terms of defense and in terms of the trade between the two continents. The city was fortified from decades earlier by Constantine and the emperors that followed.
C. Added to the old western empire's culture was the very important Hellenistic one that the Western Romans had a distaste for. Areas surrounding Byzantium were part of this culture. Thus on a cultural basis there was no sharp edges of culture separating Byzantium from Greek, Syrian, Egyptian, and even Mongolian cultures.
D. Stepping away from early attempts to restore the old Roman empire we find a well run government that was prosperous.
E. It maintained a well run and strong army.
F. The empire was run by skilled diplomatic rulers not bent on conquest.
Thus over time it is a stand out civilization that was able to last until 1453.
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How long did the Constantinople empire last?
The Byzantine Empire is usually said to be started in 330, when Constantine changed his capital. It when through huge recoveries by Justinian, and followed a long decline. Basil II and the Komnenus kept the empire standing longer, but even them could not prevent the eventual fall of Constantinople in 1453. So from 330 to 1453, if would be 1,123 years.
Who was the king of the Byzantine Empire when it fell?
There was not a Byzantine king. There was a Byzantine Emperor. The last Byzantine emperor was Constantine XI Palaiologos. He died in battle when Constantinople, the capital of the empire, fell to the Ottoman Turks.
Was Constantine the last roman emperor?
No, Constantine died over 100 years before the West Roman Empire fell, and over 1100 years before the East Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) fell.
How many years did the byzantine empire last longer than rome?
The eastern part of the Roman Empire continued to exist for nearly 1,000 years after the fall of the western part of this empire. Byzantine is a term which has been coined by historians to indicate the eastern part of the Roman Empire after the fall of the western part. The eastern Romans did not use this term. This empire was called Roman Empire.
Did the byzantine empire last over 1000 years?
Yes, as the eastern part of the empire, which historians call the Byzantine, began to gain prominence and dominance in the reign of Constantine which was from 307 to 337. The Byzantine empire fell in 1453. Do the math and you'll see how long the Byzantine part of the empire lasted.Yes, as the eastern part of the empire, which historians call the Byzantine, began to gain prominence and dominance in the reign of Constantine which was from 307 to 337. The Byzantine empire fell in 1453. Do the math and you'll see how long the Byzantine part of the empire lasted.Yes, as the eastern part of the empire, which historians call the Byzantine, began to gain prominence and dominance in the reign of Constantine which was from 307 to 337. The Byzantine empire fell in 1453. Do the math and you'll see how long the Byzantine part of the empire lasted.Yes, as the eastern part of the empire, which historians call the Byzantine, began to gain prominence and dominance in the reign of Constantine which was from 307 to 337. The Byzantine empire fell in 1453. Do the math and you'll see how long the Byzantine part of the empire lasted.Yes, as the eastern part of the empire, which historians call the Byzantine, began to gain prominence and dominance in the reign of Constantine which was from 307 to 337. The Byzantine empire fell in 1453. Do the math and you'll see how long the Byzantine part of the empire lasted.Yes, as the eastern part of the empire, which historians call the Byzantine, began to gain prominence and dominance in the reign of Constantine which was from 307 to 337. The Byzantine empire fell in 1453. Do the math and you'll see how long the Byzantine part of the empire lasted.Yes, as the eastern part of the empire, which historians call the Byzantine, began to gain prominence and dominance in the reign of Constantine which was from 307 to 337. The Byzantine empire fell in 1453. Do the math and you'll see how long the Byzantine part of the empire lasted.Yes, as the eastern part of the empire, which historians call the Byzantine, began to gain prominence and dominance in the reign of Constantine which was from 307 to 337. The Byzantine empire fell in 1453. Do the math and you'll see how long the Byzantine part of the empire lasted.Yes, as the eastern part of the empire, which historians call the Byzantine, began to gain prominence and dominance in the reign of Constantine which was from 307 to 337. The Byzantine empire fell in 1453. Do the math and you'll see how long the Byzantine part of the empire lasted.
